The Mike Grella ordeal continues to worsen for the American forward. Swindon Town manager Paul Hart has vowed to fight “tooth and nail” to prevent the club from owing him any further wages for his time on loan.

But Hart, who was disgusted with the attitude of the player he had handed five starts from seven games since being named manager in early March, will do all he can to ensure Town do not pay him any more wages.

“Mike Grella came to me to ask to leave Swindon, when we are involved in a relegation fight,” he said. “After deliberation I acceded to his request and it is good riddance to bad rubbish.

“As far as I am concerned we are not paying him and as long as I am here I will fight tooth and nail to make sure this remains the case.

“He has gone and I am only interested in players who want to fight for Swindon.”

This further extends my belief that Grella will not be returning to Leeds this summer. His reputation is rather sullied. He might be able to find himself a job in League One or League Two, but if I were Grella I’d be ready to start making some trial arrangements back in MLS.

I’m not doing a full OT Report, but I’ll note that Anton Peterlin did get a rare start for Plymouth Argyle in a 1-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge. Argyle has already clinched relegation and Peterlin’s contract is up this summmer, so I am guessing that he’s another player that might be looking to return stateside this summer. Also, Preston Zimmerman scored another goal for Mainz II, his sixth of the season. He’s having a nice season.

Two notes on some now-former site subjects. You might recall JC Banks, the former Wisconsin-Green Bay midfielder who had spent some time with Hammarby in Sweden. He wound up signing with the Rochester Rhinos here (3rd division USL-Pro), where he scored on Saturday. Meanwhile, Benny Feilhaber made his debut with the New England Revolution, going 90 minutes and collecting an assist in the 12th minute to help defeat Sporting Kansas City. As a Sporting fan, boo to that.

4 Responses to “Some assorted weekend news”

Look on the bright side, you guys will have a sweet new stadium soon and the Revs…won’t. I watched that game and it was really entertaining (not in a Barcelona-Real Madrid way but still fun). However the atmosphere was really disheartening. Kudos to the fans that were there but one whole goal end was covered with tarp and that sucks.

The Rhinos are a good team, they usually play in the second division (whatever that may be). The only reason they’re not in the NASL this year is because it wasn’t sanctioned by USSF and they were afraid it wouldn’t work out. Good for Banks.

woah jc banks sighting… ive always knew grella, peterlin, and arnoux would eventually come back to MLS… grella had flashes but he needs to check himself. i also thought the same for zac whitbrtead but what a suprise he has been.